Portable, Powerful and Now Fashionable

Indisputable style and performance are brought to light in the latest addition to the world’s most compact interchangeable lens system, with the introduction of the PENTAX Q-S1. The Q-S1 features an impressive 40 stylish color combinations. A 12.4 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor promises to deliver high-quality images for the photographer in you. Equipped with a wide range of shooting features to make photography more enjoyable, the Q-S1 offers high-sensitivity shooting with a top sensitivity of ISO 12800, and a reliable shake-reduction system. Creativity is certainly not compromised in the PENTAX Q Series’ latest installment. Users will be able to use Bokeh Control to produce SLR-like bokeh effects with ease, as well as Smart Effects Modes to add desired filter effects with the simple turn of a dial. The combination of a well-conceived design and great operability makes the PENTAX Q-S1 an ideal everyday camera for photographers of all levels.

PENTAX 05 Toy Lens Telephoto for Q-Series Cameras

PENTAX 08 Wide Zoom Lens for Q-Series Cameras

Thanks to its 12.4 megapixel, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, the Q-S1 delivers high-quality, high-resolution images. A state-of-the-art, high-speed “Q ENGINE”, effectively minimizes noises at all ISO sensitivity levels to deliver rich and fine-textured images, even at a high sensitivity of ISO 12800. It offers outstanding autofocus accuracy in low light and assures pinpoint focus, even at the faintest light level of EV 0.

Classic, high-grade design

The Q-S1 sports a classic, ultra compact design, with meticulous attention to the finest details, making it a perfect everyday camera to carry around for an unlimited variety of shooting situations. Its Quick Dial and grip are made of attractive high-grade aluminum, and are symmetrically positioned for comfort. New to the Q series; textured synthetic leather is incorporated for a custom appearance.

Outstanding operability

The Q ENGINE (with an optimized algorithm), assures quick, flawless response at all phases of shooting operation, including a short start-up time of approximately one second. The Quick Dial also lets the user assign as many as four favorite functions, including Smart Effects, Aspect Ratio, AF/MF switching, focus assist ON/OFF and ND filter ON/OFF, for instant mode switching.

Large, high-resolution 3.0-inch LCD monitor

The Q-S1 features a high-resolution 3.0-inch 3:2-proportion LCD monitor with approximately 460,000 dots. This monitor is treated with AR (Anti-Reflection) coating to produce sharp, bright images even under bright sunshine; effectively minimizing glare and reflections on the screen. Its wide-view design makes it possible to view the image from 170 degrees horizontally and vertically, providing the user with a clear view of the on-screen image and when facing the monitor from an angle.

Effortless Bokeh Control

The Q-S1’s unique Bokeh Control function allows the user to make the subject stand out by automatically assessing the relative distance between the in-focus subject and obtrusive objects in the field of view. Since this function simplifies the advanced, SLR-caliber technique of intentional defocusing, even a first-time digital camera user can effortlessly capture high-quality images with beautifully defocused foregrounds and backgrounds.

Dependable SR mechanism

The Q-S1’s advanced SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism features a state-of-the-art gyro sensor to effectively compensate for annoying camera shake. It produces sharp, blur-free images even under shooting conditions prone to camera shake, such as: when using a telephoto lens, shooting in the dark without flash or capturing landscapes at twilight.

An array of image-processing tools to create personalized images

(1) The Custom Image function adds distinctive finishing touches,
faithfully expressing the photographer’s creative intent or reproducing the ambience of a specific scene. The user has a choice of 11 Custom Image modes, including: Bleach Bypass, which produces a dramatic, movie-like finish.
(2) The Digital Filter function allows the photographer apply a variety of visual effects without requiring the use of a computer. From 17 total options, 11 filters including: Toy Camera, Invert Color and Posterization can be applied even when shooting still images and movie clips. The remaining digital filters can be applied only during image editing. The user can apply multiple filters to a single image to produce more creative visual effects.
(3) Using the Quick Dial, the user can select from the Smart Effects to quickly and effortlessly add a desired finishing touch to an image, while previewing the applied effect on the LCD monitor. From nine Smart Effect modes — including Antique for a nostalgic atmosphere and Fade Color for a chic, faded-color finish — the user can assign four favorite modes to the dial in advance.

Digital SLR-caliber exposure system

The Q-S1’s comprehensive exposure system assures all the advantages and flexibility of a lens-interchangeable digital camera system. In addition to the all-purpose Programmed AE (P) mode, which automatically selects an optimum combination of aperture and shutter speed, it also provides the Aperture-Priority AE (Av) and Shutter-Priority AE (Tv) modes for manual setting of a desired aperture or shutter speed, as well as Metered Manual (M) mode for complete user control over exposure settings.

Other features

・Compatibility with Eye-Fi wireless LAN SD memory cards
・High-speed continuous shooting of up to five images per second
・HDR mode to composite three images of varying exposures into one photo with extra-wide dynamic range
・CTE white-balance control mode to emphasize the predominant color of a particular scene, such as the sunset
・Multi-exposure mode (up to nine exposures on a single image), with an auto exposure compensation function
・Remote control receptors on front and back panels
・Digital level function to check the camera’s horizontal/vertical inclination
・Digital Camera Utility 5 software (latest version) included

Full HD movie recording, even during high-sensitivity shooting

The Q-S1 captures beautiful Full HD movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels, at 30 frames per second, in the H.264 recording format) with minimal noise. It also provides an interval HD movie recording function for a more creative visual expression. The user can also take advantage of advanced image-processing tools like the Smart Effect modes* and an array of in-body movie editing tools. The Continuous AF (AF-C) mode** has been newly added to these creative options, allowing the user to capture a moving subject in sharp focus during movie recording.
* The frame rate may vary when a selected Smart Effect mode requires nonstandard image processing.
** This mode is not compatible with the UNIQUE LENS-series lenses and the 06 TELEPHOTO ZOOM lens.

Simple, user-friendly Auto Picture and Scene modes

The Q-S1 features the PENTAX-original Auto Picture mode, which automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode from an range of options including Portrait, Landscape and Macro for a given scene or subject. Since the camera optimizes all affecting parameters, such as shutter speed, aperture, white balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness, the user can concentrate on the composition and moment. The Q-S1 also provides 21 Scene modes including Night Scene Portrait, Pet and Backlight Silhouette, allowing even an entry-level digital photographer to choose the best exposure settings for a complicated scene or subject with the simple choice of an icon on the LCD monitor.

DRII mechanism for effective dust removal

The Q-S1’s DRII (Dust Removal II) mechanism effectively prevents annoying dust spots from spoiling captured images, even after the user changes lenses out in the open. Like the PENTAX K-3 and 645Z digital SLR cameras, it employs a highly efficient supersonic vibration mechanism, which vibrates the image sensor at high speed to shake dust off its surface.